Drs. Goldman and Haines awarded grant to study barriers to transplant in sickle cell disease
Fred Goldman, M.D., and Hilary Haines, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, have been awarded a seed grant from the Sickle Cell Foundation of Birmingham to fund their project titled, “Barriers to Transplant in Sickle Cell Disease: A Survey of Patients and Families at Children’s of Alabama.” The grant will provide seed money to assist them in studying the barriers that contribute to why sickle cell patients at Children's of Alabama are not getting bone marrow transplants at the same rate as the rest of the country.
Congratulations Drs. Goldman and Haines!
Pediatric endocrine division renamed
Effective immediately, the Endocrine Division has been renamed to the UAB Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. The change will also encompass the endocrine clinical service and training program. The name change was initiated by Ambika Ashraf M.D., division director for pediatric endocrinology and diabetes. Dr. Ashraf noted, in 1935, the subspecialty started as ‘pediatric endocrinology’ by Lawson Wilkins at the Harriet Lane Home, at Johns Hopkins Hospital. ‘Diabetes’ evolved in parallel as a clinical pediatric discipline from the clinics of Elliott Joslin and Priscilla White in Boston.
In 1980, both branches joined together to become pediatric endocrinology and diabetes. Since our division also encompasses both aspects, it is only appropriate to rename the division. Efforts to change references to the division online and in printed material has already begun and we ask that you do the same where appropriate.
Dr. Coghill named Waldemar A. Carlo, M.D., Endowed Professor in Clinical Neonatology
Carl Coghill, M.D., Neonatology, has been appointed the first holder of the Waldemar A. Carlo, M.D., Endowed Professorship in Clinical Neonatology. This endowed professorship recognizes the compassionate patient care and superior teaching Dr. Coghill exhibits.
Dr. Coghill is the medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s of Alabama, the perinatal referral center for the state of Alabama. He is also the medical director for the Community Neonatology Program. His leadership and dedication to patient care have improved the medical care of neonates in community hospitals in the Birmingham area. Dr. Coghill has contributed greatly to advancing the field of neonatology by mentoring and training the next generation of neonatologists. Additional roles held by Dr. Coghill include, medical director for the Neonatal Simulation Lab, physician champion – High Reliability Unit, and medical director of the CRNP Skills Lab.
The Waldemar A. Carlo, M.D., Endowed Professorship in Clinical Neonatology was created and named to honor Dr. Wally Carlo for his many years of leadership as the division director of the Division of Neonatology.
Congratulations Dr. Coghill!
Dr. Freeman receives SSPR Young Investigator Award-Basic Science
Amy Freeman, M.D., First Year Fellow-Neonatology, was awarded the SSPR Young Investigator Award-Basic Science at the Southern Society for Pediatric Research (SSPR) Annual Meeting in New Orleans last weekend. She won for her research titled, “Germ-free Mice are Protected but Humanized Mice with Diseased Airway Microbiome Develop Severe Lung Injury in Hyperoxia.”
Congratulations Dr. Freeman!
Dr. Oates co-author of book chapter to help families with the management of cystic fibrosis
Gabriela Oates, Ph.D., Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, and Cathy Mims, MS-HQS, BSN, RN, CPN, Children's of Alabama CF Center Coordinator, are the co-authors of Chapter 7: “Which Types of Providers Can Help Me with My CF” in the new book “Facing Cystic Fibrosis.” The book was written by leading health care providers in their field and members of the cystic fibrosis community to provide resources and information for families on the management of cystic fibrosis.
2020 Russell Cunningham Memorial Research Program-Call for Applications
The Russell Cunningham Memorial Research Program was established by Dr. Sergio Stagno, Chair Emeritus of the UAB Department of Pediatrics, to honor the memory of Dr. Russell Cunningham. Dr. Cunningham spent more than 30 years as a member of the faculty and was a fervent advocate for medical education. The program is designed to introduce students to pediatrics through research and clinical experience.
Interested students
First-year UASOM medical students with an interest in pediatrics are encouraged to apply for the 2020 Russell Cunningham Memorial Research Program, an eight-week summer internship and research program.
Eligible projects include bench research, clinical research, and quality improvement projects. All projects should be designed for completion within the 8-week summer research internship time frame, or enough progress made such that finalization can occur during a scholarly activity block. Suggestions for projects in which this can be accomplished include: analysis of existing data from an ongoing project to answer a new research question or expansion of an existing project to examine a new but related question. New projects which can be accomplished within the internship time frame are also encouraged. Each student must have his/her own project; funding is not available for students to work as a research assistant on an existing project.
Based on these applications, two students will be selected and will work with faculty mentors from the Department of Pediatrics. Each selected student will receive $4000; an additional $1000 is available to cover costs of travel to present the research.
Faculty mentors MUST be in the Department of Pediatrics.
Application process
The following materials should be submitted through the Medical Student Summer Research Programs website:
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Student’s CV or resume (no longer than 3 pages)
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Students should compose a 3-5 page project proposal indicating research interests and career goals, research project description (introduction, project objectives and hypothesis, methods/approach) and literature cited. This description should be reviewed by the faculty mentor prior to submission to the committee.
Applications must be submitted by April 3, 2020 at 5 p.m.
Interested faculty mentors
Faculty mentor responsibilities include:
1) helping the student design a summer research project
2) providing the student with clinical experience.
This may include observation or participation in clinical activities (clinics or hospital rounds) or attendance at educational conferences.
Faculty who are interested in mentoring a student for the summer of 2020 should forward the information and application document to the student. Applications must be submitted no later than April 3, 2020 at 5 p.m.
For questions, please contact Dr. Cassi Smola, csmola@peds.uab.edu.
UAB Pediatric residents and fellows to present at Southern Regional Societies Annual Meeting
The Southern Regional Societies Annual Meeting will be held Feb. 13-15 at the in New Orleans, LA. UAB Pediatrics will be well represented with 34 presentations by UAB Pediatric fellows and residents. Below are links to lists of presentation times and dates for the fellows and residents. If you are attending the meeting we know you will help support our trainees at their presentations.
Fellow presentation times
Resident presentation times
Dr. Berger to participate in Innovation Academy's Train the Trainer Program
Stephanie Berger, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, has been nominated to participate in the Innovation's Academy's "Train the Trainer" program. This program is a unique, inter-professional approach to analyze and develop solutions for current challenges in healthcare delivery. The program hopes that participants will return to their respective units armed with new knowledge and a thorough understanding of the process of innovating at UAB Medicine. A key goal of this academy is the creation of a cohort of innovation coaches dispersed throughout our organization.
Congratulations Dr. Berger!
Dr. Poole appointed to UAB Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center
Claudette Poole, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases, has been appointed as an associate scientist in the UAB Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center (MHRC). The MHRC was established in 2002 with the mission of eliminating health disparities in Alabama, the Southeast and the United States. As a member of the MHRC, Dr. Poole will be able to use the center's infrastructure and resources and collaborate with other researchers at UAB and around the country on projects aimed at eliminating health disparities.
Congratulations Dr. Poole!
Dr. White invited to be a standing member of the Healthcare Systems & Value Research Study Section of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Marjorie Lee White, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine, has been invited to be a standing member of the Healthcare Systems & Value Research Study Section (HSVR) of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The HSVR reviews applications concerned with the development of measures, data, tools, and strategies for reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of care within organizations and/or systems of care, and the organization and functioning of the health care system. Dr. White will serve as a standing member for four years.
Congratulations Dr. White!
Dr. Anding chosen to attend 2020 Frontiers in Science Symposium
Brad Anding, M.D., PGY-2 Pediatric Resident, has been nominated to attend the 2020 Frontiers in Science (FIS) Symposium Friday, Feb. 28 in Long Beach, CA. FIS is hosted in conjunction with the annual Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs (AMSPDC) meeting and offers residents interested in research the opportunity to hear presentations on new and exciting research.
"I am excited for the opportunity to attend the FIS meeting. As someone who does not come from a strong research background, I look forward to meeting and hearing from the Pediatric Scientist Development Program trainees," said Dr. Anding. "I feel this experience will give me the opportunity to continue to develop my skills as a scientist/investigator, as well as help me grow as an overall academic pediatrician." Dr. Anding was nominated by department chair, Dr. Mitch Cohen.
Dr. Dhall to join International Society for Paediatric Oncology Scientific Programme Advisory Committee
Girish Dhall, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, has been selected to join the International Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Scientific Programme Advisory Committee (SPAC). The SIOP SPAC was founded in 2008 and consists of experts in specific fields of pediatric oncology. As part of the SPAC, Dr. Dhall will help to plan the SIOP annual congress. He will serve a three year term.
Congratulations Dr. Dhall!
Drs. Boppana, Schmit and Watson elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Congratulations to Suresh Boppana, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Erinn Schmit, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, and Andrew Watson, M.D., PGY-3 Pediatric Resident, on being elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society! AOA is a medical professional organization that recognizes and advocates for excellence in scholarship and the highest ideals in the profession of medicine. The official induction ceremony into AOA will be held on March 19.
Introducing the 2019-2020 Division of Adolescent Medicine Youth Advisory Board
The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a youth-led council of teens and young adults supported by adolescent faculty, fellows, trainees and staff. YAB members share their invaluable perspectives on adolescent health and create opportunities that will engage other adolescents in the community to live healthier lives. Members can participate in mentoring opportunities, earn community service hours, and gain insight into future healthcare careers. YAB members will be able to strengthen their leadership, organization, planning and outreach skills by participating in International Adolescent Health Week, leading #BHMTeenHealthWeek activities and promoting the #Staywell Campaign.
“We are excited to have this wonderful group of teen and young adults. They speak to the development of adolescent healthcare that directly impact their peers and youth of the greater Birmingham community,“ said Adrianne Marbury, MPA, YAB program manager.
The YAB is sponsored by the UAB Division of Adolescent Medicine and the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Training Program.
Pediatrics welcomes one new faculty member in January 2020
Rachel Klein, M.D., Assistant Professor in Academic General Pediatrics, joined the UAB Department of Pediatrics in January 2020.
![Andrea Kane photoSQUARE](/medicine/peds/images/Faculty_Headshots/Academic_Gen_Peds/Klein_Rachel_2020SQUARE.jpg)
Rachel Klein, M.D., Assistant Professor in Academic General Pediatrics, earned her medical degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Dr. Klein completed her combined internal medicine/pediatric residency at the University of California-Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Klein joins UAB with dual appointments in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics. She will provide primary care in both departments, teaching residents in the UAB Pediatric Primary Care Clinic in pediatrics and providing primary care to adolescents and adults within the Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center in medicine. Her research/clinical interests include preventative care, quality improvement and transition care.
Dr. Bhatia to receive American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Survivorship Special Interest Group Lifetime Achievement Award
Smita Bhatia, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, has been selected by the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) Survivorship Special Interest Group (SIG) to receive the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes a SIG member for their outstanding work and dedication to survivorship practice in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Dr. Bhatia is being recognized for her consistent, high-quality contributions to the field through publications, presentations, mentorship, and leadership. She was presented the award at the 2020 Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Meeting in Orlando, Florida Feb. 22.
Congratulations Dr. Bhatia!
Dr. Samies recipient of 2019-2020 Fall Research Roundtable/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award
Please join us in congratulating Nicole Samies, D.O., Second Year Fellow- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, on receiving the 2019-2020 Fall Fellow Research Roundtable/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award. This allows her to attend a scientific meeting of her choice, within the continental United States.
Our next award will be presented at the end of June 2020 for the fellow with the highest attendance at Fellows’ Research Roundtable and Fellow Core Conferences from January – June 2020. Click here for more information.
Thank you to all of the fellows who have been dedicated to attending these conferences!!
LEAH trainee selected for MCH Workforce Development Trainee Ambassador Group
Jessica Garcia, a nutrition trainee with the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health Training Program, has been selected for the Maternal & Child Health Bureau’s Division of MCH Workforce Development Trainee Ambassador Group (TAG). TAG is designed to foster connections between trainees across the MCH Training Programs, provide trainees with leadership development opportunities, and strengthen the link between trainees and MCHB. TAG provides trainees with the opportunity to conceptualize, develop, and lead efforts to facilitate trainee connections via activities such as mentoring programs, trainee forums, and collaborative research projects.
Congratulations Jessica!
Dr. Walley named to Jefferson County Board of Health
Susan Walley, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, has been elected to the Jefferson County Board of Health. The board has six members, five physicians and the President of the Jefferson County Commission. One physician is elected each year by the members of the Jefferson County Medical Society for a five year term. Dr. Walley will serve as the board secretary as the newest member.
Congratulations Dr. Walley!
UAB Pediatric Fellow Match 2019
Our Pediatric Subspecialty Programs recently completed their match for fellows beginning July 2020. Congratulations to all of our incoming fellows! Click on the link for list of incoming fellows.
Adolescent Medicine
Charisse Graham, M.D.
Residency: Morehouse
Allergy/Immunology
Reena Patel, D.O.
Residency: Palm Beach Consortium for Graduate Medical Education
Cardiac Critical Care
Veronica Godsey, M.D.
UAB Pediatric Critical Care Fellow
Critical Care
Luke Burton, M.D.
Residency: Greenville Health System
Ananya Manchikalapati, M.D.
Residency: Icahn SOM at Mount Sinai
Emergency Medicine
Reid Burks, M.D.
Residency: UAB
Keven Gutermuth, M.D.
Residency: UAB
Mickinzie Morgan, MD
Residency: Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
Endocrinology
Heath Pelham, M.D.
Residency: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Whitney Smith, M.D., Ph.D.
Residency: University of Mississippi
Gastroenterology
Gabriel Lugo, M.D.
Residency: UAB
Ana Coronado Reyna, M.D.
Residency: State University of New York, Brooklyn
Hematology/Oncology
Elizabeth Gunn, M.D.
Residency: Carolinas Medical Center
Abbey Rocco, M.D.
Residency: St. Louis University
Hospice and Palliative Medicine (Peds)
Laurie Jacobs, M.D.
Residency: UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Hospital Medicine
Michelle Duplantier, MD
Residency: Louisiana State University
Meenu Sharma, D.O.
Residency: Memorial Health University Medical Center of Savannah
Infectious Diseases
Ayesha Ahmed, MBBS
Residency: UAB
Neonatology
Jacqueline Razzaghy, M.D.
Residency: Greenville Health System
Lucy Weaver, M.D.
Residency: UAB
Zaki Yazdi, M.D.
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina
Nephrology
Kyle Deville, M.D.
Residency: UAB
Pulmonology
Kyle Bliton, M.D.
Residency: UAB
Rheumatology
Daniel Reiff, M.D.
Residency: UAB
Sleep Medicine (Peds)
Anthony Staples, M.D.
Residency: Cleveland Clinic (Child Neuro)